Maternity hospitals in Hertfordshire

[Beautyangel1]

Hello,

I have just had the most amazing news 🤰

Can any one recommend any good maternity units in and around Hertfordshire/North London area?

Thanks

That's my area. I'm near Watford Hospital but not a big fan and my friends had mixed experiences there.

I went to Queen Charlotte's & Chelsea (right by Wormwood Scrubs!) and they were great. I knew I had to have c sections and I picked them as they have a high proportion. I had antenatal care on the NHS then my health insurance paid for the birth in their private bit.

It was clean and well organised, and easy to get to by car.

Not sure whereabouts you are in Herts - I was halfway between Watford and Stoke Mandeville and went with Stoke. Always had fantastic care there. Also had some care at UCLH which is probably too far into London for you but they were also amazing. Congratulations on your lovely news xx

Hi all, sorry to jump on the thread but what made people not choose Watford? I’ve also heard bad things and am considering changing hospitals, but I’m struggling to find anyone who has had a recent experience there x

I think at the time I had my first daughter (she is now 7) there has been some negative reviews but I do believe it has much improved. I’ve had friends have their babies there and they were positive about their care. You’re also going to get positive and negative reviews about every hospital!

I had my DS at Watford (several years ago now), and had a great experience. I had a very quick labour and didn't stay in afterwards, literally gave birth and went home again. Midwives were great though.

The other maternity unit is at the Lister in Stevenage - they're the only two places to give birth now in Herts.

So there's either Watford or Lister hospital in Hertfordshire? I've looked at Barnet hospital too but that doesn't have good reviews either. It's so hard to make a decision.

I had my DCs at the birthing unit in Harlow, Essex. I lived in Hertfordshire but Harlow was closer than the Lister. My youngest DC is 5 now so things might have changed, but I had a good experience all 3 times.

In fairness, part of my issue with Watford is that certain parts are rather decrepit and not the cleanest.

My most recent experiences (not maternity) with my kids were mixed. Consultant for the first occasion couldn't name the body parts he was a specialist in (in English) and his colleague was pretty abrasive. Second occasion (a couple of weeks ago) wasn't bad, good experience with the doctors and a newish small ward.

As for maternity care at Watford, my friends and sister gave birth 10 years ago so not very recent. The person with a child in NICU said they did a good job. My other friends didn't have great experiences. Not helped by having a couple of people having to have extra security on the ward as things were going missing - not the hospital's fault per se, but I gather they let things get out of hand with some of the visitors.

I lived in Herts when I had my two kids in London and I'd choose the same again. But I'm sure some people have good experiences at Watford too.

I have two friends currently pregnant, one going to Barnet and the other to Watford; both are happy with their choices and have had some positive stories from both. Congrats! X

I've had two births in Hertfordshire, one at the Lister and one at home but antenatal in the Lister. I find their antenatal care has been great, birth care also good, postnatal care a bit shoddy to be honest although was very happy with the NICU care

I have a 5 yo and 1yo. I had both at Lister. The care has been really good for both. I would choose somewhere closest to. I love right in the middle between lister and Watford and chose lister as less opportunities for traffic.

Thanks all and Congratulations @Beautyangel1 x

I live in Herts but chose PAH in Essex as the care is second to none.